News: Recently, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment regarding the appointment of District Judges. The judgment allows young judicial officers to be appointed as District or Additional District Judges to enhance efficiency and reduce pendency in subordinate courts.
About Appointment of District Judges
- Constitutional provision: Article 233 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of District Judges.
Qualifications |
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Procedure for Appointment |
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Supreme Court Judgement
- The Court held that judicial officers who had seven years of experience at the Bar before joining judicial service are eligible for appointment as District Judges under Article 233 of the Constitution.
- Earlier Restriction: Previously, only practising advocates with seven years’ experience were eligible for direct recruitment as District Judges.
- Judicial officers who had prior legal practice but later joined service were excluded, creating stagnation and lowering motivation in the subordinate judiciary.
- The Bench noted that Article 233(2) does not prohibit those already in judicial service from being considered for appointment as District Judges if they meet the overall experience requirement.
- Eligibility Clarified:
- A person having a combined experience of seven years or more as an advocate and/or judicial officer can now be considered for appointment as District Judge or Additional District Judge under Article 233.
- Minimum Age Requirement: The minimum age for appointment as a District or Additional District Judge (for both advocates and judicial officers) is fixed at 35 years as on the date of application.
